September was a dynamic month for ANZCHAM, filled with impactful events and achievements that underscore our commitment to fostering trade and collaboration between Australia, New Zealand, and the Philippines.
On September 6, ANZCHAM co-hosted a Breakfast Forum with the Makati Business Club, welcoming an Australian delegation led by Shemara Wikramanayake, CEO of Macquarie Group. This event focused on enhancing trade and investment in the infrastructure and agri-food sectors, aligning with Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040. The delegation included 14 Australian businesses, alongside notable figures such as the Australian Ambassador to the Philippines, H.E. HK Yu and representatives from Export Finance Australia and DFAT.
On September 10, I moderated a lively discussion at our Monthly Members Meeting (MMM), exploring AI’s transformative impact on the business landscape. Our expert panel—Sherwin Pelayo of AAP, Kapil Raheja of HGS, and Shobhit Srivastava of LinkedIn—shared invaluable insights into the adoption of AI in the Philippine workforce compared to other countries. The discussion also covered government and industry practices, broader business implications, and the effects on the current and future workforce. The enthusiastic participation during the Q&A session highlighted our members' growing interest in this critical topic.
On the same evening, Benjamin Romualdez, President of ANZCHAM, and I signed on behalf of ANZCHAM a Memorandum of Understanding with the Philippine Government’s Anti-Red-Tape Authority (ARTA). This MOU represents a shared commitment to improving the ease of doing business for our members and potential investors, paving the way for positive changes within the broader business community.
To top off an already exciting month, ANZCHAM was inducted into the IT & Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP). This partnership strengthens our collective commitment to the dynamic IT and Business Process Management sector in the Philippines, which many of our members are a part of.
On September 10, 2024, ANZCHAM’s Monthly Members Meeting drew a full house of over 130 attendees, buzzing with energy and anticipation for an in-depth exploration of Artificial Intelligence (AI)๐ค. Attendees engaged in cutting-edge discussions, exploring how AI is reshaping the business landscape. The question of the day: Are you ready for AI, or you ready to get left behind?
The session featured an esteemed panel comprising Sherwin Pelayo, Executive Director of the Analytics and AI Association of the Philippines (AAP); Kapil Raheja, Vice President of Hinduja Global Solutions (HGS); and Shobhit Srivastava, Country Team Lead for Enterprise Accounts at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Philippines. The discussion was expertly moderated by Natalie Davies, Vice President of ANZCHAM and Country Manager of Vocus
Kicking off the discussion on AI, Shobhit remarked, "people view it [AI] as a powerful tool for boosting productivity," underscoring the surge of AI-related job opportunities and the shifting skillsets required to keep pace with technological advancements. He stressed the importance of clear, relevant conversations around AI, ensuring that its impact is fully understood. Following this, Sherwin highlighted the Philippine government’s proactive approach to fostering AI growth through initiatives aimed at enhancing infrastructure, improving internet connectivity, and adopting global ISO standards to drive innovation.
Shobith Srivastava, LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Philippines Country Team Lead & Enterprise Accounts, opened the discussion on AI-related job postings, moderated by Natalie Davies, ANZCHAM Vice President (far left), with Kapil Raheja, Hinduja Global Solutions (HGS) Vice President (second from the left), and Sherwin Pelayo, Analytics and AI Association of the Philippines (AAP) Executive Director (far right).
Kapil explored the practical implications of AI for businesses, showcasing how AI is not just automating tasks but also creating new opportunities and driving job growth. He provided real-world examples, such as a law firm that uses AI to expedite contract production and a headphone company that improved customer service efficiency through AI-driven ID scanning. The panelists tackled challenges such as skills shortages, regulatory gaps, and rising cybersecurity threats, including adversarial AI. They discussed establishing a cybersecurity center of excellence to address these issues.
A packed audience engaged in a very informative discussion about artificial intelligence.
As the event wrapped up, the energy in the room only grew stronger, with attendees eagerly exchanging ideas, forging new connections, and deepening collaborations—setting the stage for even greater engagement moving forward.
This is just the beginning—Get ready for the next chapter of our exciting AI series at our October Monthly Members Meeting—See you then—let's together
On the same evening of our September Monthly Members Meeting, the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) and the Australian-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines Inc. (ANZCHAM) celebrated a significant milestone with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
This formal partnership, signed by Benjamin Romualdez, ANZCHAM President; Natalie Davies, ANZCHAM Vice President; Ernesto V. Perez, ARTA Secretary; and Engr. Gerald G. Divinagracia, Undersecretary for Operations, embodies ANZCHAM’s key value drivers as a community sharing knowledge and insights and strengthening partnerships with government bodies.
By reinforcing our shared commitment to enhancing the ease of doing business in the Philippines, this partnership represents an important step in our ongoing efforts to create a more efficient and business-friendly environment, poised to contribute meaningfully to the vision of a "Bagong Pilipinas,"
The Australian-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce (ANZCHAM) is proud to announce its official induction into the IT & Business Process Association of the Philippines, Inc. (IBPAP). This exciting milestone solidifies ANZCHAM’s commitment to supporting the dynamic IT-BPM industry in the Philippines.
IBPAP has been a crucial driver in advancing the country's IT-BPM sector, and we are thrilled to collaborate more closely. This partnership opens up new opportunities for our members to engage in innovative projects, foster connections, and contribute to the continued growth of Filipino talent on the global stage.
Together with IBPAP, we aim to harness our collective strengths, unlocking new possibilities for business excellence and progress in the industry. We look forward to all that this partnership will bring!
Breakfast Business Forum with ANZCHAM and MBC
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Business leaders and professionals at the Breakfast Forum with the Australian-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce Philippines and Makati Business Club, fostering cross-border collaboration and strengthening economic partnerships.
The Breakfast Business Forum, co-hosted by the Australian-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce (ANZCHAM) and Makati Business Club (MBC), was one of the highlights of the recently concluded Australian Business Mission to the Philippines. The investment mission brought together a high-level delegation of 14 prominent Australian institutional investors, and infrastructure and agribusiness firms.
The breakfast forum included keynote speeches and a panel session with Business Champion for the Philippines and Macquarie Group CEO, Shemara Wikramanayake, and Australian Ambassador to the Philippines, H.E HK Yu on Australia and the Philippines' trade and investment relationship and priorities.
During the forum, H.E. HK Yu stated that “this mission is more than a commercial venture. We’re not just investing in business deals; we’re investing in our shared future.” The Ambassador commended the forum as a testament to the strong partnership between Australia and the Philippines, emphasizing that creating awareness through delegations to the Philippines is vital for unlocking increased investments, collaborative opportunities, and continued economic success.
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